u/Ok_Tone_3924

Hi, everyone. I am currently a master's student at Johns Hopkins, and I know admission season has not begun yet, but you need to know that you can go to a normal school.

I'm sure everyone wants to go to the Ivies or a top-ranked school, but you need to know that while these schools are good, they are not the be-all and end-all of academics. I went to a school outside the U.S. with a pretty low ranking for my undergrad because it was basically free, and I was able to excel academically, learn a new language, and really explore what I wanted to do with my life. I feel that if I had been at a more academically challenging school, then I would have been dragged into that competitive culture as well and not really gained as much.

So what I mean is that before you start believing that it is Harvard or nothing remember: your undergraduate experience is what you make of it, not just the name stamped on your degree.

Hi everyone! I'm a SAIS student who did my first year in Bologna and recently moved to DC.

I'm posting because a friend of mine who's still in Bologna is in a really tough spot and could use some advice.

He's from Nigeria and was supposed to come to DC for his second year with the rest of us. Unfortunately, because of the visa restrictions affecting new Nigerian student visa applicants, he wasn't able to get a visa and had to stay in Italy to finish the program.

When he was admitted to SAIS, he received a scholarship that covered all of his first-year tuition and 80% of his second year. The plan was to cover the remaining 20% with U.S. international student loans once he got to DC, but when he couldn't come, that option disappeared.

On top of that, he recently broke his arm in an accident, which came with unexpected medical expenses. His family has done what they can, but they aren't able to cover the remaining tuition, and the school has already told him there isn't any additional financial aid available this late in the year.

A few of us encouraged him to start a GoFundMe, and thankfully some people have donated already. The problem is that we're struggling to get it in front of more people.

I was wondering if anyone here has experience with GoFundMe or fundraising in general. Do you have any tips for getting more visibility or reaching people who might be willing to help? Are there communities or places where it's appropriate to share something like this?

I'd really appreciate any advice. He's worked incredibly hard to get this far, and it'd be heartbreaking to see him come this close to graduating and not be able to finish because of funding.

Thanks so much!